Hello and welcome to my Union STR snowboard bindings review.
In this review I will take a look at the STR as all-mountain snowboard bindings.
As per tradition here at SnowboardingProfiles.com I will give the STR a score out of 100 (based on several factors) and see how they compare with other all-mountain bindings.
Overall Rating
Bindings: Union STR
Price: $219 (USD recommended retail)
Style: All-Mountain
Flex Rating: Medium (6/10)
Flex Feel: Medium (5/10)
Rating Score: 80.1/100
Compared to other Men’s All-Mountain Bindings
Out of the 24 men’s all-mountain bindings that I rated:
Overview of the STR’s Specs
Check out the tables for the STR’s specs and available sizes.
Specs
Style: | All-Mountain |
Price: | $219 - BUYING OPTIONS |
Ability Level: |  |
Flex: |  |
Weight: | Normal |
Mounts To: | 2 x 4 | 4 x 4 | Channel |
Sizing
SIZE | US BOOT SIZE | EURO BOOT SIZE | UK BOOT SIZE |
|---|---|---|---|
S | 5.5-7.5 | 37-40.5 | 4.5-6.5 |
M | 8-10 | 41-43 | 7-9 |
L | 10.5-13 | 43.5-46 | 9.5-12 |
Who are the STR Most Suited To?
The STR are best suited to those on a low budget but don't want bindings that are too soft. They're certainly not stiff, but their flex feels around 5/10 - and most in its price range are softer flexing than that. And in terms of quality for the price range they are up there, especially when it comes to the ankle and toe straps.
That said, there's nothing terribly special or exciting about these bindings. But they do function well and there's nothing bad about them either.
Best matched to boards in the 4/10 to 6/10 flex range.
The STR in More Detail
O.k. let’s take a more detailed look at what the STR are capable of.
Demo Info
Bindings: Union STR 2023, Medium
Date: March 25, 2022
Conditions
Sunny with clouds. More cloud than blue skies - high cloud. Unlimited visibility.
Temperature: 37°F (3°C)
24hr snow: 0" (0cm)
48hr snow: 0" (0cm)
7 day snow: 27" (69cm)
On groomer: Nicely groomed mid-soft pack. Some glints of slush to start with and then got slushier as the day went on.
Off groomer: A little icy and crunchy to start in spots but not too bad. Got progressively softer.
Set Up
Bindings angles: +15/-15
Stance Width: 555mm (22”)
Board tested with: Lib Tech Terrain Wrecker
Boots tested with: Adidas Tactical ADV, size US9.5
Baseplate Length: 25cm (9.8”) – that’s measured on the top of the footbed. 24.4cm (9.6") on the underside of the baseplate.
Highback Height: 20.7cm (8.2”)
Weight: 860 grams (1lbs, 14oz)
* for one binding, including screws and disc. The average weight of a small sample size of around 60 bindings (2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 & 2023 models) I have weighed, was 913 grams. The lightest was 680 grams and the heaviest was 1,240grams. So the STR a little lighter than average but not far off normal.
Changes for the 2023 model
The STR got a new highback for the 2023 model. The "S11 Duraflex".
Flex
In hand, had a little more twist and a little more pullback in the highback than the Union Force, which I tested at the same time - and vs my control bindings (Burton Malavita).
On snow, they felt right on a 5/10 flex. A little softer than the Force and a little softer than my control bindings.
Responsiveness
For short/sharp turns at slower speeds, they STR were pretty good. About the same as my control bindings and a little quicker than the Force.
In terms of holding deep carves, they were about as good my control bindings again, but not quite as good as the Force were.
They have a similar response feel to the Force though, in terms of being a smooth, consistent, even response (as opposed to a more springy/explosive response).
Board Feel/Butterability
Not as good as the Malavita's but not devoid of board feel or anything. Very much the same as the Force.
Pop/Ollie Power
Ditto board feel.
Adjustability
Overall good adjustability. Not quite to the extent of the Force. Vs the Force it doesn't have the extendable gas pedal, has 2 highback rotation position options (vs 3 on the Force) and requires a tool to adjust the length of the toe strap (tool-less on the Force).
Heel Cup: Yes
Stance Width: Micro adjustments possible - can run disc horizontal and that allows micro stance width adjustments.
Highback Lean: Yes and tool-less
Ankle Strap Position: No
Toe Strap Position: Yes - 2 position options
Ankle and toe strap length: Adjustment of ankle strap length is tool-less, but requires a screw driver to adjust the toe strap, which is a bit of pain.
Gas pedal/toe ramp extension: No
Highback Rotation: Yes - 2 position options.
Compatible with: 2 x 4 | 4 x 4 | Channel
Shock Absorption
Doesn't abosrb shock as well as the Malavita's but still OK. The same shock absorption feel as the Force.
Entry/Exit
Decently smooth ratchets, without being the smoothest on the market or anything.
Let’s Break up this text with a Video
Note the video below is for the 2021/2022 model, so it has the old highback.
Comfort
Overall nice and comfortable and I had no issues with pressure points or anything like that. Really nice ankle and toe straps for this price point. Quite impressed.
Ankle Strap: Conformed nicely and felt good. A little more flexy than the ankle strap on the Force.
Toe Strap: Again, more flexy than Force toe strap - and again conformed nicely. Quite squishy/flexy in the middle of the toe strap - firmer around the outside.
Canted Footbed: Yes
Padded Footbed: Decent padding without being anything too extreme.
Highback: A little padding at top and through middle – covers just over half. But most importantly no calf-bite issues.
Ankle Support
Felt pretty normal. If they had an extra ankle strap position which allowed you to have the ankle strap sit a little higher on your ankle, this would be better, but I was happy with the position it was in. But if you're not, there's no way of changing that position.
Score Breakdown and Final Verdict
Check out the breakdown of the score in the table below.
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
|---|---|---|
CARVING | 3.5 | 10.5/15 |
SLOW SPEED RESPONSE | 4.0 | 12/15 |
BOARD FEEL | 3.5 | 10.5/15 |
SHOCK ABSORPTION | 3.5 | 10.5/15 |
ADJUSTABILITY | 4.0 | 12/15 |
COMFORT | 4.0 | 8/10 |
ANKLE SUPPORT | 3.5 | 7/10 |
ENTRY/EXIT | 4.0 | 4/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 80.1/100 |
The STR are pretty basic bindings. That said, they have really high quality ankle and toe straps which defy their price tag.
And there's nothing bad about them. They function really well and do what they're supposed to do. And they are one of the lowest priced, decent quality mid-flex bindings around. So for anyone on a low budget, in need for mid-flex bindings and still want decent quality, they are a great option.
More Info, Current Prices and Where to Buy Online
If you’re interested in learning more about the STRs, are ready to buy or want to research prices and availability, check out the links below.
If you want to check out some other all-mountain binding options or want to compare the STR to others in this category, check out the link below.
Hello and welcome to my Union STR review.
O.k. let’s take a more detailed look at what the STRs are capable of.
Hi Nate, i just discovered your site and really apreciate what you are doing, your reviews are sincere and clear, thanks man!
I would like to ask your oppinon in which bindings buy for a Salomon Dancehaul. I just bought one in 147 and looking for a budget binding. I am intermediate rider who spend his time mostly on groomers and learning to carve and taking small jumps. I am trying to create a forgiving setup since i am not alway in good shape jeje. My boots are mid stiff ones with double boa. I have found sale opportunites on this bindings:
– Union Flite pro
– Union STR
– K2 Lineup
– Drake Fifty
– Rome Crux
– Arbor Hemlock
Which one would reccomend for my desire setup? Thx again!!
Hi Cris
The Flite Pro, Lineup and Hemlock are a little too soft flexing to be optimal with the Dancehaul, IMO.
The Drake Fifty and the Union STR would both work well for the Dancehaul, IMO.
We haven’t tested the Rome Crux yet, but on paper, it looks like it would be a good flex-match to the Dancehaul as well.
Hope this helps with your decision
Hi Nate,
Thanks for your brilliant reviews, I’ve read through quite a number at this point.
I’d really appreciate your input.
I consider myself an intermediate-5 all mountain rider. When I next get on the slopes I’ll be working on getting clean carves.
I ride a Rome Mechanic Uni, which has a Flex of 4/10.
I initially paired my board with Union Contact Pro’s. I have since received a voucher for them after making a warranty claim.
I am considering between the following bindings (in this order of ranking):
1 Union STR’s
2 Union Strata
3 Union Force
I feel that at moderate to higher speeds I am beginning to notice I am demanding a little more of locked in feel, than the board is giving me. I don’t know right now if it’s me, or the board but it will likely be replaced in another season or two for something stiffer. I’d like the bindings I choose to also suit a slightly stiffer board so I can move them over when I upgrade my board.
What would you recommend?
Many thanks in advance!
Hi Kyle
Thanks for your message.
I think the STR would be the best suited to your current board. However, going Strata or Force would give you more scope for your next board and are still within a good flex range for your current board. On the stiffer side for your current board but still within a good range, IMO. If you were to go STR now and then end up with a 6/10 to 7/10 flex board for your next one, then the STR wouldn’t as suitable, particularly if you went 7/10 flex. But if you went Strata or Force, then they would match better to those boards in the 6/10 to 7/10 flex range than the STR and would still work fine if you only went up subtly to 5/10 flex.
So that would have me leaning more towards the Strata or Force. Between those 2, I find the Strata has better board feel and has a more “springy/lively” response, versus the Force which has a more consistent, smooth, predictable response. I would say the Force a touch better for bigger more high speed carves, with the Strata still better than the STR and Contact Pro for those and the Strata better for pressing, ollies, sidehits etc vs the Force.
Hope this helps with your decision
Hi Nate
Requesting your input on bindings + boots to go with YES Typo 155 ( thanks to your input on this board )
Intermediate rider – mostly downhill at moderate speeds on blue slopes and occasionally mellow groomed black runs and moguls once in a while, but want to learn park riding and some tricks this season. I presume I need a med/mid flex boots and bindings. I narrowed down to these, but open to suggestions outside of these too.
Bindings :
Burton Mission Re:Flex 2022
Bent Metal Joint 2022
K2 Formula 2022
Union STR 2023
Rome Crux 2022
Boots :
Burton Moto Boa ( single Boa )
DC Control Boa 2021 or 2022 ( double Boa )
Nidecker Triton 2021/22 ( double Boa )
Rome Bodega Boa
Thanks
Missed one in the list – Salomon District Bindings
Hi Will
Yeah, I think medium would be best to match both the board and for your purposes. Something 5/10 to 6/10 flex would be your best bet, IMO.
From your list, for bindings, I would be leaning Burton Mission or Union STR.
I haven’t ridden the Bent Metal Joint, but from my limited experience with Bent Metal, they’re a little softer than what they rate at (IMO). But that said, I don’t have a lot of experience with Bent Metal, so this might be an option. The K2 Formula are a good flex-match, IMO, but they’re bindings I didn’t like a whole lot – and particularly for board feel, I didn’t like them – and that’s something I think you’ll appreciate for when you start doing some tricks. The District is a binding I haven’t ridden in a good few years, but when I did last ride it, I felt it at a 4/10 flex, so might be borderline a little soft.
The Crux are maybe a good option. But I haven’t tested these, so can’t say for sure.
For boots, I would be leaning DC Control but the Nidecker Triton and Rome Bodega are likely good options too. But I’ve yet to test Nidecker or Rome boots (hoping to get hold of some this winter) so can’t say for sure on those. The Moto are too soft for this setup, IMO. I felt them at a 3/10 flex.
Hope this helps to narrow down your options
Hi Nate,
I’m a low intermediate rider, trying to decide between these Union STRs or the Burton Missions. At first I was leaning towards the Union STR since they offer full stance width adjustability, and an adjustable heelcup. But then I read some comments about loosening screws and sliding heelcups that made me concerned that the separate heelcup being locked in by the ankle strap screw may be a design flaw. It seems that a fixed attached one-piece heel cup like the Missions would offer stronger structural rigidity to handle such a high-stress area of the binding. Have you noticed any issues in this regard? Do you think it makes the Missions a better choice, even though they sacrifice stance width adjustability?
Thanks,
Kevin
Hi Kevin
Thanks for your message.
I haven’t had any of those issues with Union bindings before. I have only ever tested the STR and not owned them, so I couldn’t say over the long term. I have owned the Union Falcor for over 3 seasons now though and no issues there. I don’t think it’s a design flaw in general with them, but could be specifically to the STR? Not sure, as I haven’t heard anyone with this issue before.
The Missions though are a good option, if you’re willing to sacrifice those adjustability things. Some things that might help your decision:
– I found the STR a touch more responsive than the Mission
– I found the Mission to have slightly better board feel and more shock absorption
Hope this gives you more to go off for your decision
“They felt quite dead underfoot” – Union STR bindings. Please explain further. I’m trying to understand what you mean by that statement. I’ve only been boarding a couple of years and now I’m starting to buy new equipment rather than used stuff.
Hi Robert
Thanks for your message.
Essentially it just means that the binding doesn’t flex that well with the board. Anything part of the binding that’s actually attached to the snowboard creates a “deadspot”, where essentially the board can flex as it’s supposed to in that spot. The STRs just felt like they had a relatively large deadspot. Certainly not the worst I’ve felt, but compared to other Union bindings, I found it. Sorry if this doesn’t describe it very well – it’s hard to explain, it’s just a feeling you get from the board/bindings. It’s easier to understand if you ride a binding with a small “deadspot” or just a binding that doesn’t feel dead underfoot and then ride with one that does. You can feel the difference, but it’s difficult to put into words!